In Their Words: Manny Pacquiao

Manny Pacquiao currently has a welterweight championship (among the titles he has earned in a record eight divisions), careers in politics and entertainment, and perhaps the largest worldwide following in boxing, which has led to countless commercial and charitable opportunities (and commitments) for the Filipino superstar.

So it's little wonder that some believe Pacquiao's focus has wandered in recent years, a theory bolstered by what could be characterized as a dip in his performance (a tough day at the office in his most recent outing, a majority decision against Juan Manuel Marquez; no knockouts in his past four fights). Even the fighter's trainer, Freddie Roach, described Pacquiao as "distracted" before the Marquez fight, when his well-publicized personal and family turmoil came to a head.

At age 33, having fought in so many savage battles and pushed his body to advance so many rungs up the ladder to the welterweight division, Pacquiao (54-3-2, 38 KOs) remains near -- if not at -- the top of his game. But the margin for error is miniscule for elite fighters, and the slightest slip from his peak against an opponent the caliber of junior welterweight champ Timothy Bradley Jr. (28-0, 12 KOs) -- whom Pacquiao will face June 9 at the ...

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